eBay’s publicly traded stock had skyrocketed onto the market. Their unprecedented escalation stemmed from their 95 percent share in the Internet auction business. In my first meeting with them to discuss their acquisition of our company, I asked, “What keeps a company like Microsoft from flicking you off the map?” I made a gesture at our conference room table as if I were playing caroms. The co-founder answered with a story that I will never forget.

A woman who had frequently traded goods on eBay had gone through a bitter divorce that left her penniless. Those who had bought and sold with her noticed her absence from the auction site. They tracked her down, learned of her story, and each pitched in to buy her a computer so that she was trading on eBay again.

“In a word, community,” he said in answer to my question. I thought back to the parable of the two sons and their father’s longing to restore community between them. One of the Bible’s deepest values, that of loving others as ourselves, was being lived out in one of the greatest success stories in the history of Wall Street.

What about you? Are you living out the radical, limitless love of the father in your world? Are you characterized and known as a forgiver? Would your family and friends refer to you as gracious? Are you experiencing true community? Pray David’s refining prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). Communion with Him will lead to community with others.

Episode 120: Tiffany’s Vow with Tiffany France from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.

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